What are the pros and cons of a weighted vest. Anyone who has trained at a gym and been made to carry weights in their arms for crossfit session or burpees or hang weights during dips and pulls have always thought if my arms or shoulders did not give up I could do some more reps . And while much of the current scientific evidence remains inconclusive one way or the other, here are some of the weighted vest benefits you can expect from this training approach:
- Weighted vests are a quick and easy way to add variety and difficulty to your existing runs and workouts, turning many bodyweight exercises into weighted exercises.
- Explosive power: They are a great option for power athletes and weightlifters looking to increase their fast twitch muscle engagement and ramp up training without having to change a routine.
- Endurance conditioning: Some studies have shown that training with a weighted vest can increase your speed, VO2 max and extend your time to exhaustion after prolonged use in training.
- Ease of use: when you can’t get out for a run or to the gym(pandemic lockdowns be damned), just slip your weight vest on and enjoy an around-the-house workout as you complete your daily chores.
- Progressive-overload : Many vests are adjustable and available in different weights, meaning it’s possible to start low and increase your resistance over time.
- Joints and shoulders: Vests can be an easier option when you’re looking to add weight to your workout compared to other options, like hand weights, ankle weights and wrist weights.
- The final word : When it comes to removing your vest after your run or workout, many people enjoy a floating-like feeling akin to how you’d imagine Superman feels all the time, as your body finds it’s regular movements comparatively effortless.
In addition, weighted vests come in a variety of styles. The best vest for one person isn’t always going to be the best option for another. For example, the best weighted vest for calisthenics may be different to the one for general weight lifting. Your choice will depend on the type(s) of training you do as well as the feasibility of comfortably wearing the vest during your workouts. Aspects like how the jacket fits, how the weight is added to the vest and how secure it is during vigorous activity should all be considered before making your final choice.
Once you’ve considered these aspects and have a good idea of what you’re looking for, check out the best weighted running vests below and start enjoying next-level workouts.
